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Experts List

CORPORATE COFFEE EXPERT

PATRICIA MARQUES

Patricia has been in the coffee industry for over a decade. Starting out as a barista in California, she has moved up to the head of Starbucks in Vietnam. Navigating the tricky obstacles of establishing a big brand in a new country, Patricia understands the Vietnamese market and its desire for brand name international coffee. Expert in making a big name stick amongst countless competitors, she has plenty of interesting insights on mixing international brand standards with local needs.

DALAT EXPERT

Antoine Sirot

Antoine, currently managing An Lam Saigon River, was the general manager of the Dalat Palace Hotel from 2002 to 2008 and has been in the travel industry for over 30 years. In 2002, on the 80th anniversary of the Palace, Antoine was tasked with finding out as much as possible about Dalat and the hotel. His research led him deep into the history of Dalat. Until today, he is one of the most knowledgeable experts on this beautiful highlands city.

MEKONG DELTA EXPERT

BENOIT PERDU

French engineer and lay polymath Benoit Perdu landed in Vietnam in 1992. He moved to the Mekong Delta in 1997, started a joint-venture and built a gas terminal, before taking the head of a new agricultural insurance company. In 2003, he fashioned Bassac Cruises with his wife Ánh, now one of the pillars of tourism in the Mekong Delta. When it comes to the Delta, there are few who match his keen insight and matter-of-fact observations on its tourism and way of life.

OYSTER EXPERT

VO TIEN CUONG

Vo Tien Cuong is an expert in the breeding and preparation of oysters. He also distributes oysters throughout Ho Chi Minh City. His brother, an oyster farmer in Nha Trang and owner of La Maison Restaurant, introduced Vo to Fin De Claire oysters from France several years ago, which are now thriving in Vietnam’s warm climate. He is excited to introduce more French oysters to the Vietnamese market.

PHAN THIET EXPERT

Steve Raymond

Steve Raymond has been in the tourism industry since 1972. After a long slew of jobs in incentive houses and hotels, Steve was invited to be the general manager at Pandanus Resort in Phan Thiet. Deciding that life in Phan Thiet would be less stressful than working at his previous job, he accepted the position. Steve has been at Pandanus Resort for nearly a decade and has during this time amassed sizable knowledge on Phan Thiet.

Big Bike Expert

Lawson Dixon

Lawson Dixon started his career with the News Limited media company in the 1980s but has spent more time out of his home country Australia than in since. He has a background in automotive advertising and worked with Ford and Chrysler. He started selling Ducati motorcycles in Vietnam before finally getting the Harley-Davidson franchise off the ground in 2013. He beat 70 competitors to win the right to be the brand’s first dealer in the country.

Restaurant Business Expert

Sakal Phoeung

Chef Sakal has been working as one of the finest head chef’s in South East Asia for more than 15 years. From 2000 to 2012 he ventured around Asia working for branches of the Sofitel Hotel, beginning his gastronomical journey in Vietnam as the executive chef for the hotel’s Saigon branch. He then set out for Beijing and Phnom Penh, before returning to Saigon in 2012. In 2016, he decided to put his expert skills to the test and open his own fine dining restaurant, Le Corto, which offers a select collection of unique Western dishes.

EDUCATION EXPERT

ELLEN THOMPSON

US citizen Ellen Thompson has lived in Ho Chi Minh City for 14 years. She came to teach English originally, and liked Vietnam and the people so much that she stayed. Saigon Star International School opened its doors in 2006. Ellen joined two years later as head teacher. Having studied and worked in several different countries in North America, Europe and Asia, she has a wide knowledge of the education system here and a keen interest in creating a supportive international school community.

Metro Support Expert

Stephane Faure

Stephane Faure is the project manager handling the support structures for Ho Chi Minh City’s upcoming metro. The affable family man has 20 years of experience with these kinds of projects, having worked in South and Central America, North Africa, the Middle East and now Vietnam. A true expert in his field, Stephane knows the ins and outs behind the giant stone support system that will hold the city’s trains safe and secure.

TEA EXPERT

TAO HO

Tao grew up in the north of Vietnam and over the years became seriously interested in different teas and brewing methods. His first encounter with professional tea brewing was in Malaysia in 1998. Ever since, he has collected teas from all over the world, learning more about the drink as he travelled. He is now the owner of Tea Maison on Dong Khoi, as well as heading his own work safety consultation company.

English Education Expert

Stephen Thomas

Stephen Thomas has been working with VUS since 2001 and is currently the head of human resources for all campuses. He received his MA in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from California State University-Bakersfield. He specialises in assessing and training foreign teaching staff and has thorough knowledge of the skills needed in order to provide top-notch educators. He has provided VUS with in-depth strategic planning and has efficiently developed their well respected curriculum.

Green Architecture Expert

Charles Gallavardin

Charles and his wife are two of the three founders of T3 Architecture, a company with branches in HCMC and Marseille, France. They specialise in green architecture projects, contemporary interior design and heritage preservation. Charles arrived in Vietnam in 2011 to begin his venture, working to promote awareness for sustainable development techniques. His team has worked on many notable projects such as the Kokois Concept Store, Sofitel Metropole, and Fulbright University Offices.

Wine Expert

Francois Carteau

Francois Carteau has been the director/sommelier at the Wine Embassy in HCMC for the past 4 years. Prior to his employment at the Wine Embassy, he was the Retail Director at the Red Apron, a fine wine and spirits distribution channel. As sommelier at Wine Embassy he personally selects wine directly from their vineyards upon visitation to each premise.

School Curriculum Expert

Katie Rigney-Zimmermann

Katie Rigney-Zimmermann has been the Director of Admission and Marketing for Saigon South International School since July 2010. Previous to this she served as the Head of Admissions at Mont’Kiara International School from November 2008 to December 2009. She has a vast knowledge of all the types of curriculums that are available in Vietnam’s international schools and is an expert guide to help parents and students find the best educational path possible

Italian Food Expert

Giovanni Parrella

Italian in origin, Napoli-born chef Giovanni Parrella lives up to his reputation as a man of love, food and passion. He first began working in the kitchen of a restaurant at the age of 12, starting his days at 6 a.m. He has been in the industry ever since, working 14 years with the Hyatt Group in some of the world’s most interesting food cultures. For the last four years he has been Executive Chef at one of the city’s most luxurious five star hotels – The Reverie Saigon.

Vietnam Tourism Expert

Patrick Gaveau

Patrick Gaveau is the owner and creator of Citypassguide.com. A native of Africa, he is a French citizen. Patrick followed the WICE (World Leisure International Centre of Excellence) master programme of Social Science of Leisure, Tourism and Environment at Wageningen University (Netherlands). He graduated with honours from Aix / Marseille II (France) with a master's degree in Economics and the Finance of Tourism. He is currently living in Ho Chi Minh City with his Vietnamese wife and has two daughters.